ABA glossary
Functional analysis
Also called FA
Definition
An assessment in which antecedents and consequences are arranged systematically to test which ones maintain a behavior, typically by comparing test conditions (such as attention, escape, tangible, or alone) with a control condition in which those variables are absent.
In plain words
A functional analysis (FA) is an experiment. Each test condition sets up one likely motivation and delivers one possible reinforcer right after the problem behavior: attention in the attention condition, a break from work in the escape condition, a preferred item in the tangible condition, and nothing social in the alone condition. The play condition serves as the control, with attention and items available freely and no demands. If problem behavior is consistently higher in one test condition than in the control, that condition points to the function.
Example from a session
The BCBA designs a functional analysis for Sara's head hitting and trains the RBT to run the escape condition: present a hard task, and after any head hit, say "OK, you can stop" and remove the task for 30 seconds. The RBT follows the script exactly, keeps the session length the same as the plan, and records each hit. Across sessions, head hitting is high only in the escape condition, pointing to escape from demands.
For BCBA candidates and supervisors
An FA shows a functional relation, but it must be weighed against risk: analysts screen for medical issues, set termination criteria for dangerous behavior, obtain consent, and staff sessions appropriately. Variations reduce exposure or fit real settings: brief FA, trial-based FA, latency-based FA, precursor FA, and the interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis, a variation that is debated in the field. Undifferentiated results can mean automatic reinforcement or poor discrimination between conditions, and may call for an extended series of alone sessions or changes to the design; elevated responding in more than one test condition suggests multiple functions. Results should drive a function-based plan, not just a report.
Often confused with functional behavior assessment, descriptive assessment
A functional analysis manipulates variables to test function; a descriptive assessment only observes what naturally happens, so it shows correlation. FBA is the broader process that can include both. If the stem describes conditions arranged on purpose with a control condition, it is a functional analysis.
Exam tip
Know what each condition tests: attention (social positive), escape or demand (social negative), tangible (social positive), alone (automatic), play (control). High responding in all conditions, including play, often suggests automatic reinforcement (confirm with a series of alone sessions), not "every function."
Can you spot functional analysis in a scenario?
Practice RBT B.3 with exam-style questions and instant feedback.